Mahindananda stopped at airport ; 2 Immigration officers suspended

Immigration officers had stopped former minister – Mahindananda Aluthgamage, who had attempted to travel overseas last night (10), reports say.

Immigration officers say that Mr. Aluthgamage faces an overseas travel ban imposed by the Mathugama courts, a claim that the ex-minister rejects.

However, he had cancelled his trip and informed the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration as well, reports add.

Speaking to media, the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration said that initial investigations have revealed that a possible error in the database could be the reason behind this. He has added that an inquiry would be held next Monday to ascertain the reason behind this.

Mr. Aluthgamage was allowed to travel overseas today after the error was rectified, he had further said.

Two officers of the Immigration and Emigration have been suspended until the inquiry concludes.

The former minister previously faced an overseas travel ban imposed by the Colombo High Court which was later removed.

Parents of infant abandoned in train, arrestedThe parents of the infant found abandoned inside a restroom of a train on Friday (March 10), have been arrested by the police.

The mother, 25, was apprehended at Nayabedda in Bandarawela on Friday itself while the father, 26, was taken into custody in the area of Koslanda this morning.

On Friday evening, the two-week-old baby was discovered by the passengers of Batticaloa-bound ‘Meenagaya’ express train, which was scheduled to depart the Colombo Fort railway station at 7.00 p.m.

The police and the railway authorities were called to inform of the baby before he was admitted to the National Hospital in Colombo.

The police later initiated investigations in search of the infant’s parents.

It is reported that the 26-year-old father of the baby, who was employed in the Dehiwala area, had brought his partner to his place in Colombo after learning about her pregnancy.

The baby was born on February 25.

The police said the couple is under interrogation at present.

(adaderana.lk)

Textbooks printed with Indian support, dispatched

On 09 March 2023, the Minister of Education of Sri Lanka – Dr. Susil Premajayantha and the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka – Mr. Gopal Baglay formally dispatched a consignment of textbooks printed with Indian support at the State Printing Corporation (SPC) for use in various schools across Sri Lanka.

The State Minister of Education – Mr. A. Arvind Kumar, senior officials of the Ministry including Secretary to the Ministry of Education Mr. Nihal Ranasinghe and officials from the SPC attended the event

A concessional Credit Facility of USD 1 billion was extended to the Government of Sri Lanka by the Government of India in March 2022 for supply of essential items including food, fuel, medicines, industrial raw materials etc. Out of this Facility, over USD 10 million has been used by SPC and private importers to procure printing paper and material from India. This is being used to print 45% of textbooks required by 4 million young students of Sri Lanka for the academic year 2023.
Speaking on the occasion, the High Commissioner stressed that India’s support for text books is an investment in Sri Lanka’s future and will contribute to the bright future of its young students. The Minister of Education appreciated India’s support to Sri Lanka in the last one year and timely assistance through the Indian Line of Credit to import paper for printing textbooks for school children. The State Minister of Education appreciated India’s helping hand to the people of Sri Lanka in these difficult times. The dignitaries also undertook a tour of SPC’s facilities and were briefed by the officials on its operations.

India and Sri Lanka enjoy a multi-faceted and multi-sectoral partnership. In line with its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, Government of India’s assistance to the people of Sri Lanka is extended in various forms, including through concessional Credit Facility and Lines of Credit. Till date, Lines of Credit worth over US$ 4 billion have been extended to Sri Lanka in diverse sectors including supply of essential items, petroleum, fertilizers, etc. development of railways, infrastructure, defence sector and renewable energy etc.